We've all heard the slogan: "don't imitate, innovate." Well, Arabs have a more commonly used saying about innovation: "Necessity is the mother of creativity." Syrians are a living, breathing example of this.
1. Barrel bombs for wind power electricity in Idlib
Syria has become synonymous with barrel bombs, and many an opposition-held area have had these oil-filled containers rain down on them from Syrian government aircraft. Amnesty International reports that more than 3,000 civilians were killed in Aleppo 2014 alone by barrel bombs.
Akbar Alaan reports that a man know as Abu Oussama has cut up the containers of the bombs to create fans that harvest wind energy to generate electricity. Basically like windmills.
2. Trash for fuel in Ghouta
It's a waste-to-energy program like you haven't seen it in the Arab world. Trash-soaked Lebanon should take note.
15-year-old Musab and his family devised a way to extract gasoline and kerosene from plastic. But Musab told Humans of Syria that the process comes with safety hazards: "You always run the risk of the tube exploding from the high pressure when the material is settling".
3. A battery-run computer fan for a furnace in Houla
35-year-old blacksmith Abu Hussein told Humans of Syria he created a furnace powered by a computer fan connected to a 12-volt battery. The invention is "very economical" since a liter of fuel cost 2,000 Syrian pounds, around $9. That's nine times the world average, which stands at 99 cents/liter.
"The fan is fitted to a nozzle that blows in the air from one side of the furnace . The air circulates inside to fan the flames of the furnace," he explains.
4. Missiles for heat in Douma
According to Rozana, Abu Muhammed has mastered the skill of recycling missile remnants, especially those that haven't exploded. He has dedicated his workshop for that purpose, putting together bikes, phones, kitchen utensils and lanterns.
From mortars (Hawn shells), he managed to make home heaters, for which the people of Douma are very grateful.
5. A satellite dish for solar power in Ghouta
"I can boil water in less than ten minutes and we're still in the last days of winter. I expect it to be much faster when the summer comes!"
Living under siege with no cooking fuel or electricity, Abu Yassine found a way to heat up his food and tea kettle using his very own solar power. He explained to Humans of Syria how he cut up mirrors and stuck them on the satellite dish to focus sun rays on the alternative stove.